You will work four days a week at your nursery setting as a nursery assistant, gaining your practical experience. This will involve a range of activities from arts and crafts to singing and outdoor play. You will then attend college once a week.

You will work four days a week at your nursery setting as a nursery assistant, gaining your practical experience. This will involve a range of activities from arts and crafts to singing and outdoor play. You will then attend college once a week to gain your apprenticeship qualification. Activities include:

Maintain accurate and effective children's records

Respond appropriately to issues requiring confidentiality

Support, promote and implement policies relating to diversity and equality

Work well as part of a team

Work with the team to ensure the smooth running of the nursery day

Work in partnership with parents

Attend parent events and meetings as required

Requirements and prospects Desired skills

Previous experience in childcare is not a necessity but can help. A genuine interest in wanting to care for children is essential. The candidates will be expected to: Maintain accurate and effective children's records

Respond appropriately to issues requiring confidentiality

Support, promote and implement policies relating to diversity and equality

Work well as part of a team

Work with the team to ensure the smooth running of the nursery day

Work in partnership with parents

Attend parent events and meetings as required

Personal qualities

Learners must be caring, professional and able to work well as a team. Good time keeping, patience and enthusiasm are all positive qualities for nursery assistants.

Reliable, punctual and trustworthy

Enjoys being creative

Patience and the ability to remain calm at all times

An understanding of and respect for the diversity of families

Appropriate level of maturity and personal confidence

A willingness to reflect on their own practice

The candidate can demonstrate an awareness of confidentiality requirements and basic understanding of child safeguarding.

Qualifications required

No qualifications are required for this apprenticeship. Functional skills including Maths, English and ICT are covered as part of the apprenticeship as is Paediatric first aid. A clear CRB may be required by the nursery.

Future prospects Learners can use this qualification to go into various care roles. You can progress onto the advanced apprenticeship and work your way up in the nursery going into team leading and management roles. You could also use your experience to go into teaching, nursing, midwifery, play work and social work. There are many directions you can go with your apprenticeship should you wish. Things to consider From 1st October 2016 The National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate for apprentices is £3.40 per hour. From April 2017 this rises to £3.50 per hour. This applies to 16-18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their Apprenticeship. For all other apprentices the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Minimum Wage for Apprentices applies to time spent on the job plus time spent training.